Men’s skin differs from women’s. Male skin is thicker, oilier, hairier, and less frequently moisturized. Should men take skincare as seriously as many women?
When men apply cream, their whole hand goes into the jar like a bear paw in a honey pot. They smear a large dollop of cream decisively over their broad, hairy jaw. The jar is blue and smells ‘masculine’: sandalwood, eucalyptus, bergamot.
This is how we see it in advertisements, because marketers in the cosmetics industry have a hard time getting men to use creams, says dermatologist Annemie Galimont. But it’s really not necessary to buy a face cream that says For Men.
Skin Difference Due to Biological Differences and Behavior
The skin of women and men does differ, says Galimont. “You only start to see that around puberty. In children, the skin of boys and girls is still the same. Under the influence of sex hormones, that changes. Boys get beard growth, higher sebum production, and larger pores.”
There are more differences, Galimont knows, having reviewed the scientific literature on the subject. “There are biological differences under the influence of sex hormones and differences caused by behavior.”
For example, men generally smoke more—although there is an unwelcome catch-up happening. Smoking ages the skin faster. Men and women dress differently, resulting in sun exposure on different parts of the body.
Men more often have outdoor jobs and thus work more in the sun. “For example, we see melanomas appearing in different places. In women, they are more often on the lower legs, in men on the trunk.”
Look for the Differences
Women More Often Have Allergies Due to Many Tailetries
Applying creams also causes visible skin differences between men and women. Women come into contact with toiletries and cosmetics from a young age, Galimont explains. “As a result, we see more contact allergies and irritant eczema in women, because they come into contact more often with irritating substances in cleaning agents, cosmetics, and jewelry.”
The current trend of very young girls and teenagers already starting to apply all kinds of creams is viewed with some dismay by dermatologists, she says. “The skincare routines on TikTok and Instagram where women apply up to ten products on their face were already quite bizarre to see. But now that young children are participating, we really need to worry.”
“It’s not necessary and does more harm than good to young skin. Even for adult women, you don’t need to spend fifteen minutes applying product after product to your face.”
If the goal is to prevent skin aging, apply sunscreen, says Galimont. “That’s the only product you really need, because it counteracts UV damage. For problem skin with, for example, acne or eczema, it’s advisable to seek advice from a general practitioner, dermatologist, or skin therapist.”
Feel Free to Apply Foot Cream to Your Hands
You can safely apply a foot cream to your hands, just like a day cream. Men can grab any kind of day cream that they like to apply. “It doesn’t matter. The composition of these products is always slightly different, but you hydrate your skin with it and that feels good. If you like the smell of your hand cream, feel free to apply it all over your body.”
Creams specifically for men may be different in texture and absorb quickly into the skin, so you don’t feel them. “Men are generally not used to applying creams daily and want to notice it as little as possible,” says Galimont.
Getting men to apply special products like eye creams and serums is not on the agenda of dermatologists. “Everyone should protect themselves with sunscreen against sun damage, and that’s really all you need if you don’t have problem skin.”
“We notice at the hospital outpatient clinic that it’s difficult to get men to apply their prescribed cream every day. It’s not a routine for them like it is for women. They haven’t been doing it since their teens and haven’t seen their fathers do it either. Those TikTok teenagers with their skincare routines are not young boys. They are only girls.”
‘Keep Protecting yourself with a hat or long sleeves’
About fifteen years ago, the only cosmetic product that men used was aftershave and maybe a pumice stone, says Galimont.
If you want to take care of your skin as a man in addition to sunscreen, you can add hydration during the day. The skin always likes that, says dermatologist Folkert Blok. “The dermis must retain the moisture that your body produces itself. A greasy cream containing urea does that.”
These are simple creams from store brands, and urea is also often found in foot creams. A day cream with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is good, say the dermatologists. But remember that that filter loses its power after about two hours. “Applying day cream every two hours will not happen often in practice. Then keep protecting yourself with a hat or long sleeves.”